Weber Absaroka (1999)

Description

Bruce Weber's long career as a mandolin luthier is on full display for this beautiful 1999 Absaroka, one of our favorites of his A-styles. As with some of his more experimental work at Flatiron, the Absaroka features modified X-bracing underneath the hood for a full-bodied sound and a longer sustain time than most mandolins with F holes. But apart from the bracing, the rest plays by the book, with a spruce top, flamed maple neck, back, and sides, as well as traditionalist aesthetics like the double-bound body, fingerboard, and dark cherry-red sunburst finish. It's indicative of why Bruce's mandolins are still so sought-after today.

This instrument shows a roughly average amount of playing wear for one now well into its third decade. The most notable and obvious cosmetic defect is the hole in the finish on the top, which has been sealed over with a light French polish to protect the untreated wood from the Colorado climate. Overall, the top shows a fairly normal amount of picking wear, with an array of dents and divots on the top that surround the bare spot. Finish checking has begun to occur, with fine cracks that are most visible on the top, but do not reach the spruce underneath or compromise the instrument's structural integrity. There is a minor finish seam and some light delamination on the back as well. Most hardware is original, but the tailpiece was replaced with an aftermarket one at an indeterminate point in the past. Despite cosmetic wear, this Absaroka plays very well in all positions and will make a great gigging A-style for the serious mandolin player. We consider it to be on the lower end of very good condition. Included in the price is the original hard-shell case.

*Please note, per our return policy, all sales on used and consignment instruments are final.*